nux vomica

noun

nux vom·​i·​ca ˈnəks-ˈvä-mi-kə 

plural nux vomica

1

: the poisonous disk-shaped seed of a tree (Strychnos nux-vomica of the family Loganiaceae) of southern Asia that contains several alkaloids and especially strychnine and brucine

also : the tree yielding nux vomica

2

: a drug containing nux vomica

Examples of nux vomica in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some were said to contain nux vomica, which the FDA noted contains strychnine, a potent poison used to kill rodents. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 16 June 2020

Regulators have issued five warning letters this year to companies selling products with nightshade or nux vomica. —Matthew Perrone, chicagotribune.com, 18 Dec. 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, emetic nut

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

nux vomica

noun

nux vom·​i·​ca ˈnəks-ˈväm-i-kə 

plural nux vomica

1

: the poisonous seed of an Asian tree of the genus Strychnos (S. nux-vomica) that contains several alkaloids and especially strychnine and brucine

also : the tree yielding nux vomica

2

: a drug containing nux vomica